Additive fluid dispensing head



July 2, 1968 l.. l.. MARRAFFINO ETAL 3,390,820

I ADDITIVE FLUID DISPENSING HEAD Filed July 11, 19e? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A m wf .m 5 n 4 2 n a n., n 2 j V f1/M \N\ wfwwHHHIHHHUHH E LEONARD L. MARRAFFINo RALPH J M|oLLA,JR

BY y h@ ,drrlokmsxal July 2, 196s L.-L MARRAFFLNO ET Al.

ADDITIVE FLUID DISPNSING HEAD Filed July l1, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet a ATTORNEYS United States Patent O `ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE fluid dispensing ,devicefor-controlled mixing 'of an additive fluid to a pressurized fluid with the pressurized fluid entrairiing the additive fluid when under full powered flow and serving to cleanse the additive fluid duct and y.

nozzle when underpartialfpowered flow; Va vent system for `theadditive'fluid-being provided for sealing the additive fluid when not in use. The device enables the use of a plastic tank means for the corrosive additive fluid and a conventionalV metal aerosol can for the pressurized fluid.

SPECIFICATION This invention relates to'an additive fluid dispensing device wherein the addi-tive fluid is in a tank means associated with-a pressurizedfluid container. Valve means are` provided for controlling an entrainment flow of additive fluid into a high speed jet stream of pressurized fluid. The valve means providesa system whereby the vpressurized fluid may be utilized to clear the additive fluid -outlet duct and the spray nozzle means both before and after use. This is accomplished lby utilizing the'bleeding or cracking flow of pressurized vfluid from a partially opened discharge valve of the pressurized container dur- 'ing the opening movement and closing movement of the discharge valve. It will be recognized that the conventional discharge valves on aerosol containers must be moved a predetermined distance to provide a full flow at a substantially constant pressure. Partial opening or cracking as well as partial closing of the discharge valve results in a low powered stream which cannot be relied upon Ato produce thedesired uniform mixture with an additive entrainedlluid. The valve means, therefore, insures lentrainment of additive fluid onlyduring full flow from the aerosol can discharge valve and utilizes partial flow ltherefrom to clear the very small diameter outlet duct through which the additive fluid is entrained, as well as the spray nozzle. Means are provided for automatically vsealing the additive fluid during storage or non-use. The instant invention is also particularly adapted for use for medicinal preparations, and the like, in that it can be constructed toV eliminate the coldness or freezing sensation of normal aerosol fluids by eliminating the dip tube and dispensing only the gaseous phase of the propellant.

Particularly, the instant invention can dispense, with controlled mixing, a predetermined formulation of a highly corrosive anti-perspirant fluid from a plastic tank lmeans Vand a deordor-ant fluid from the normal metal aerosol can. Other similarly diflicult-to-handle additive liquids can also be dispensed using a metal aerosol can which contains no fluid for mixture with the additive fluid as 'a Power-Pak. Compositions, such as anti-perspirant fluids, are not only highly corrosive but produce crystals and other clogging formations in the ducts. This is particularly troublesome with ducts having transverse cross-sections equalto holes having diameters of` about r0.025 to 0.030 inch. It has been found that the clogging material in such fine diameter ducts can be effectively discharged by utilizing the partial flow of pressured fluid rfromnan aerosol can..

3,390,820 Patented July 2, 1968` ice The dispensing device includes a control rod having sealing rings which are positioned in a predetermined manner to open flow paths for propellant fluid and additive fluid simultaneously. Prior to and after such opening the propellant fluid is free to pass through the additive fluid outlet duct from the valve means to the spray nozzle means thereby insuring a pressured cleanout prior to use and a flushing following use. A vent system for the additive fluid tank means is provided by the valve means during dispensing; the vent system providing a completely sealed tank means for the additive fluid during storage.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon reference to the accompanying description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: y

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of one modification of a device mounted on a pressurized fluid container;

FIGURE 2 is -a fragmentary cross-sectional view of FIGURE 1 showing the valve means in partially open position for Iblowing clear the additive fluid duct;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 with the valve means in full open position for entrainment flow;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modification;

FIGURE 6,is a cross-sectional view of modification;

FIGURE 7 shows a shut-off modification; and

FIGURE 8 is a view taken on line 8--8 of FIGURE 7.

The additive fluid dispensing device 15 of FIGURES 1-4 includes a tank means 16, spray nozzle means 17 having a single discharge duct 35, and valve means 19.

The tank means 16 includes a bottom 20 which has a circular clamping flange 21 for fixed attachment to pressurized fluid container 22. Any suitable means for rigid attachment may be used. A central standpipe 23 extends upwardly from the bottom 20 into seated engagement with cover 24 which in turn threadedly engages and seals with the wall 25 of the tank means.

The valve means 19 includes passage 26 through cover 24 and control rod 27 which extends through the passage 26 and standpipe 23 for operable engagement with the conventional discharge valve 28 of container 22. A rod duct 29 provides fluid communication for pressurized fluid from discharge valve 28; the vertical rod duct 29, as seen in FIG. 4, |becoming three horizontal rod duct 14 at its top end above bottom ring 42.

The passage 26 has a top duct 30 in fluid communication with lthe tank means 16, duct 30 including the dip tube 31 which extends to the bottom of the tank means. A tank means vent duct 32 from the tank means 16 terminates in the passage 26 above the top duct 30.

The passage 26 also has an intermediate outlet duct 33 and a bottom outlet duct 34, these two outlet ducts extending through the cover 24 for connection to the single duct 35 of the spray nozzle means 36. In the embodiment shown, fine diameter outlet ducts 33 and 34 are formed in cover 24 and a nozzle piece 70 is force lit into a socket 71 in the cover. The duct 33 discharges into a small top sump 72 connected by angular duct 73 to the outlet duct 34 which when joined become the single discharge duct 35, The sump 72 can be eliminated; it is merely shown as one manufacturing design.

Since the embodiment shown is specifically directed to free flowing low viscosity antiperspirant and deodorant fluids and the like, the intermediate outlet duct 33 is of small cross section to control flow and the entrainng bottom outlet duct 34 and single discharge duct 35 are of similar small cross section to produce a jet entrainment by the pressurized fluid of the additive fluid.

The control rod 27 has at its upper portion a top ring 40, an intermediate ring 41, and a bottom ring 42 which are positioned in passage 26 as shown in FIGURE 1 when the rod 27 is biased upwardly to closed position by the aerosol spring biased discharge valve 28. The top ring 40 and intermediate ring 41 form an upper chamber 43 with passage 26; similarly, a lower chamber 44 is formed by the intermediate ring 41 and the bottom ring 42. It will be noted that when the control rod is in the closed position of FIGURE 1, vent duct 32 and top duct 30 are sealed closed by the top ring 40 and intermediate ring 41, these two ducts connecting to the upper chamber 43. In this fashion, the additive fluid is prevented from vaporizing or spilling during storage. Also, the rod duct 29 is in fiuid communication through the lower chamber 44 with the intermediate outlet duct 33 thus insuring a cleaning flow therethrough upon initial cracking of the aerosol valve 28.

The intermediate ring 41 and bottom ring 42 are vertically spaced apart the same distance as the intermediate outlet duct 33 and the bottom outlet duct 34.

Upon vertical movement of the control rod 27 through a predetermined distance insuring full opening of the aerosol valve 28, the rings 41 and 42 pass simultaneously below their respective ducts 33 and 34 to produce an entrainment ow of a predetermined mixture of fluids. This full open condition is shown in FIGURE .3.

FIGURE 2 shows a partial open (or closed) position wherein pressurized fiuid passing to lower chamber 44 is directed through intermediate outlet duct 33 and single discharge duct 35 `for clearing same of foreign matter or residual additive fluid.

The vertical dimensions between the ducts and rings must be correlated to the vertical movement required to fully open and close the discharge valve of the conventional aerosol can. Preferably the vent duct 32, the intermediate outlet duct 33 and the bottom outlet duct 34 are all connected for dispensing when the aerosol discharge valve is moved to full open position. It will be understood that with certain fluids the vent duct 32 may be opened first, followed by as close to a simultaneous opening as possible of the outlet ducts 33 and 34. Preferably the pressurized fluid is directed by the valve means through a jet duct of small cross section to produce a very high speed jet stream to accomplish the cleaning operation as well as to control the controlled entrainment of additive uid. In the embodiment shown this jet stream is produced in the outlet ducts 33 and 34 as well as the single discharge duct 35. In some modifications, a single fine passage jet duct (0.025-0.030 inch in diameter) for the pressurized fluid can be provided just prior to its juncture with the intermediate outlet duct 33.

Control rod 27 may be equipped with an upward spring biasing system to aid the aerosol valve. In FIGURE l a suitable system includes a cap 50 aixed to rod 27 and a coil spring 51 seated on cover 24 and housed in the cap.

The spray nozzle means 17 may be of any suitable design; FIGURE 2 shows a concave spray mixing and forming surface 52 which has proved highly satisfactory.

FIGURE shows the tank means 60 and valve means 61 surrounding and enclosing the pressurized fluid container 22. The inner circular vertical wall 62 of the annular tank means is sealed to the cover 63 by O-ring or sealing means 64 to prevent contact of additive fluid with the metal aerosol can 22. A distortable resilient cap 65 is provided for control rod actuation and biased upward return to closed position.

FIGURE 6 shows a device similar to FIGURE 5 but wherein the inner wall 62 is omitted and the top rim of can 22 seals against sealing ring 66 in cover 63. For dispensing materials which do not corrode or have other difiicult-to-handle properties, the additive fluid can contact the aerosol can as shown. This unit is particularly suited for paint, liquid starch and the like wherel a cleanout after use and a pre-use blow-out of foreign material is desired. The aerosol can may contain a uid which is a gas at atmospheric pressure, the can then being used merely to entrain and spray paint and the like with no mixing of two liquids being required.

It will be noted in both modifications of FIGURES 5 and 6 that a slot 66 is provided in each cap 65 for providing an air supply for the vent duct 32. Also an abutment ring 67 is provided on each valve means 61 for limiting upward movement thereof.

FIGURES 7 and 8 show a modification which allows the dispensing of the pressurized fluid only; shut-off means 70 are provided for preventing the entrainment ow of the additive fluid therewith. Control rod 27 is rotatably mounted in passage 26. The shut-off means 70 includes an arcuate ywall segment 71 which extends between the top ring 40 and the intermediate ring 41 in sealing face-toface relationship with the wall of the passage 26. In the embodiment shown, this arcuate wall segment 71 extends through about a quadrant of the control rod 27 as seen in FIGURE 8. Various arrangements can be employed depending on the angular locations of ports to be opened and closed. In the embodiment shown, the intermediate outlet duct 33 is sealed by the shut-off means 70. If desired, the control rod 27 could be used to open and close the top duct 30. Indicating means 73 are provided for identifying the position of the shut-off means 70; a pointer 74 extends from the ca-p 50 for adjustable positioning with respect to an indicating dial 75. Similar means may be employed with the other modifications.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it is to be considered illustrative rather than limiting, and -it is intended to cover all further embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An additive fluid dispensing device adapted for use with a pressurized fiuid container having a discharge valve comprising:

tank means for additive fluid; spray nozzle means having a single discharge duct; and valve means including a passage and a control rod slidably mounted therein for movement Ibetween a closed position and an open position, said control rod having a lower portion adapted for operable connection to said discharge valve, said passage having a top duct in fiuid communication with said tank means, an intermediate outlet duct, and a bottom outlet duct for the pressurized fluid, the intermediate and bottom outlet ducts being connected to said single discharge duct, said control rod having a top ring, an intermediate Y ring, and a bottom ring, the rings sealably engaging t-he passage and defining upper and lower chambers therewith, said control rod having a rod duct for providing fluid communication from said discharge valve to the lower chamber, said top ring and intermediate ring and said top duct being positioned to provide uid communication from said top duct to said upper chamber at all times, the intermediate and bottom rings being spaced apart the same distance as said intermediate and bottom outlet ducts whereby when said control rod is not in said open position, said lower chamber provides a uid communication path between said rod duct and said intermediate outlet `duct to allow the pressurized fluid owing from a partially opened discharge valve to clear additive uid from the intermediate outlet duct and said discharge duct, and whereby upon downward movement of said control rod a predetermined distance to said open position the intermediate outlet duct and the bottom outlet duct are simultaneously connected to the upper and lower chambers respectively, said predetermined distance being sufficient to insure the required opening of said ydischarge valve to produce full entrainment ow of additive fluid. 2. An 4additive fluid dispensing device as defined in 75 claim 1 and wherein said tank means includes a bottom having a clamping ange for attachment to the pressurized uid container.

3. An additive fluid dispensing device as defined in cla-im 2 and wherein a cover is provided for said tank means and said passage is formed in `said cover, a standpipe extending from said container bottom to said cover and said control rod being housed therewit'hin.

4. An additive uid dispensing device as defined in cla-im 1 and wherein said tank means is annular in coguration and adapted to house the pressurized fluid container in its central portion, and including cover having a sealing ring for sealing with the internal wall of the annular tank means to seal said can from contact with additive iiuid in the tank means.

5. An additive uid dispensing device as defined in claim 1 and wherein said tank means is adapted to receive Icentrally said pressurized fluid container, and including a cover having sealing means for sealing with said container.

6. An additive fluid dispensing device as defined in claim 1 and including shut-on? means for preventing the entrainment iiow of additive fluid.

7. An additive fluid dispens-ing device as dened in claim 6 and wherein said control rod is rotatably mounted in said passage and said shut-off rneans includes an arcuate wall segment extending between said top ring and intermediate ring in sealing relationship Wtih the wall of the passage.

8. An additive uid dispensing ydevice as defined in claim 7 and including an indicating means for identifying the position of said shut-ott means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,888,208 5/1959 IFedit 239-308 3,289,949 12/1966 Roth 239--579 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, Examiner. 

